Saudi Arabia, led by Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of the country, is facing serious security challenges in the face of increased Houthi attacks in Yemen. In recent years, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has sought to establish close relations with the government of Donald Trump, the former President of the United States. These relations included signing arms contracts worth billions of dollars and significant investments in American companies.
Development of Strategic Relations with the United States
After Trump's return to the White House in January 2025, Mohammed bin Salman promised to increase investment and trade with the United States by $600 billion over the next four years. This investment comes at a time when Saudi investments have approached nearly one trillion dollars, although it is unclear how Saudi Arabia can spend such an amount in a foreign economy.
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During the recent visit of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia to Washington, a defense cooperation agreement with the United States was signed, and a contract for the purchase of dozens of F-35 fighter jets was concluded. However, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia expected the United States to defend the country in the event of an attack, as such support had existed in the past.
Consequences of Houthi Attacks and Lack of U.S. Support
The increase in tensions in the region, especially last summer, reignited the war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Last month, as Houthi attacks on Saudi territory intensified, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia repeatedly requested Trump to respond to these attacks. However, Trump has responded negatively to the Crown Prince's requests for military intervention and has refrained from doing so.
On October 10, the Houthis launched a cruise missile towards Riyadh International Airport, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people and injuring over 300. These attacks and the silence of the United States in response to them are seen as a serious challenge for Mohammed bin Salman, who expected stronger support from Washington.
It seems that Trump is currently concerned about the expansion of the U.S. role in a war that is unpopular among the American public and could have serious political consequences for him. As the midterm elections approach, during which Republicans face public dissatisfaction over living costs, this issue could impact Trump's future decisions.
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